Sea Exploring (1966-98)
Overview
When National revised the Explorer program and
created the Exploring program in 1959, it
purposely left the Sea Explorer program alone to see how it operated along side
the new Exploring program. In 1965, they decided to make some changes to
Sea Exploring, as embodied in a new edition of the Sea Exploring Manual.
This rollout was originally planned for October 15, 1965, but was later
extended to March 15, 1966.
With the establishment of the Exploring Division in 1969, William Lidderdale was named the first Director of Sea Exploring since 1935. Also in 1969, Sea Explorers would allow girls, usually Mariner Girl Scouts, to participate as guests with Sea Explorer Ships. In 1971, with the rest of the new Exploring program, Sea Explorers would go fully co-ed.
New Logo
In addition to the traditional Sea Scout logo of the First Class badge on the
anchor, a second Sea Explorer logo was created in 1971: the Explorer Big E on
an anchor, which is shown above. This logo was mainly used by Sea
Exploring units following non-traditional programs.
New Program
The program of Sea Exploring was basically the same, but added features of the
new Exploring program. Or more precisely, expanded the scope of the
"Sea Exploring" program. This was done by having units fall
with three divisions or fleets: Blue, White, and Red.
The Blue Division/Fleet would be composed of those Sea Explorer units that follow the traditional Sea Scout program in place since the 1920s. These units would most likely still call themselves "Sea Scout Ships" or "Sea Explorer Ships", use the traditional advancement program and naval style uniforms.
The White Division/Fleet would be composed of those Sea Explorer units that don't quite follow the tradition program. They would probably have a sailing or powerboat emphases and be chartered to local sailing or yacht clubs, but may not bother with the traditional advancement program or the full naval style uniforms. The alternate advancement program of Small-Boat Handler and Qualified Seaman would be more appealing to these units. They would probably not call themselves "Sea Scout Ships", and may not even use the term "Sea Explorer Ships".
The Red Division/Fleet would be composed of all other types of Explorer units with some aquatice/natical/ocean-based program. These units would probably a program emphasis in the area of scuba diving, oceanography, water skiing, and the like. They would probably not bother with any formal type of uniform, and even the Qualified Seaman and Small-Boat Handler advancement program would not be of interest. They would probably not even call their unit a "Sea Explorer Ship" but a "Sea Explorer Post" or just an "Explorer Post".
National Sea Scout Events
The National Sailing Championships began in 1966. They were
held each year until atleast the early 1990s. Anyone know how long they
lasted? I had assumed the last was around 1986, as National has stopped
all the various National Explorer events to have only one, but later found out
they ran atleast until the early 90s.
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1972 Ft. Worth, TX
1973 San Diego, CA
1974 Rye, NY
1975 Chicago, IL
1976 New Orleans, LA
1977 Long Beach, CA
1978 Chesapeake Bay
1979 Cleveland, OH
1980 ??
1981 ??
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991 Patuxent Naval Air Station,
1992 Patuxent Naval Air Station,
others??
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Sea Explorers at the National Jamboree |
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1985- Exist? |
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Am I missing any other patches for the Sea Explorer Exhibits at the National Jamborees??
Uniform
For those units who still followed the traditional
"Sea Scout" program, they could choose to continue to wear the
traditional sea scout uniforms. For
youth, they continued with the white and navy ‘crackerjack’
uniform. In the 60s, the white summer
uniform was added for adults. For those units who did not follow the
traditional program, they could choose the uniform that best suited them.
This followed the idea of the "Distinct Dress Identity" used
throughout Exploring.
In the 1980s, the available uniforms were changed. For youth, the options were a navy crackerjack, white summer uniform (like what the adults had worn), and dungaree work uniform. For adults, the options were the navy dress uniform, a summer tan uniform, and a navy blue work uniform.
Advancement Program
In addition to the traditional advancement program of
Apprentice-Ordinary-Able-Quartermaster, an "alternate" advancement
program was created. This program was intended for Sea Explorers and units
that were not interested in the traditional program. It consisted of the Small-Boat
Handler and Qualified Seaman badges. Small-Boat Handler was
earned by completing 3 (later 2) 2-hour training sessions: Aids to Navigation
& Rules of the Road, and Boating Safety. Qualified Seaman was earned
by completing the following 8 2-hour sessions:
- Aids to Navigation
- Rules of the Road
- Seamanship
- Accident Prevention- Safety
- Piloting- Compass & errors
- Piloting- Charting
- Safe Boat Operation
- Operating a Boat
To see the requirements for the traditional award of
Apprentice-Ordinary-Able-Quartermaster, go HERE.
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Alternate Advancement Program |
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Traditional Sea Explorer Advancement |
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Unit Organization
Units following the traditional Sea Scout program would continue to use the
traditional organization. Some new positions were created, those of
Purser, Storekeeper, Specialist, and the short lived Cabinet Officer and
Representative, for those involved with the District Explorer Cabinets.
Those units in the White and Red Fleets would follow more standard Explorer
unit organization. The following table shows the comparison.
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Sea Explorer/Explorer Comparison |
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Sea Scout or Sea Explorer |
Explorer |
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Sea Scout Ship or Sea Explorer Ship |
Explorer Post |
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Skipper |
Advisor |
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Mate |
Assistant Advisor |
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Boatswain |
President |
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Boatswain's Mate |
Vice President |
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Yeoman |
Secretary |
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Purser |
Treasurer |
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Storekeeper |
Quartermaster |
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Crew Leader |
NO EQUIVALENT |
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Sea Explorer Ship Officer Insignia |
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Council/Regional/National
Organization
The structure of committees developed at the Council, Regional, and National
Levels continued. See the Sea Scout page for 1924 for pictures of their
office insignia. For some reason, the Area [Task Force] insignia was
dropped.
Miscellaneous
National would continue the use of "Standard Explorer Unit" awards
for Sea Explorer Ships. No longer could Explorer Posts earn it. In
1990, the idea of National, Regional, and Local levels were dropped. Now
there would be only the Standard Explorer Unit.
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Standard Explorer Unit |
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Sea Explorers would continue to have the "Long Cruise". This
was for a shipboard trip of at least a week in duration. Special patches
were issues, along with arcs for additional Long Cruises. Red arcs for
additional Long Cruises, white for 5 additional Long Cruises.
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Long Cruise |
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Arcs |
Literature
The new Sea Exploring program was embodied in the new 8th edition of the Sea
Exploring Manual, which was supposed to come out in 1965. A ninth
edition came out in the late 80s.
In the early 70s, a new Skipper's Handbook was produced. It didn't last long.
For the new alternate advancement program of Small Boat Handler and
Qualified Seaman, Instructor Guides and Workbooks were produced
in the 60s. Not sure how long they were kept in print.
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Literature |
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Sea Exploring Manual
(8th Edition) (#3239) paperback, 442pg |
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Sea Exploring Manual
(9th Edition) (#3239) paperback, ~270pg |
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Safe-Boating
Instructor's Guide (#6662) Safe-Boating Workbook (#6663??) exist?? |
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Advanced Seamanship
Instructor's Guide (#6660) Advanced Seamanship Workbook (#6661)
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Handbook for Skippers
(#3233) paperback, written by Arthur Lindgren |
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NO PICTURE
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Statistics |
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year |
membership |
units |
Quartermaster awards |
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1966 |
18210 |
1187 |
82 |
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1967 |
18226 |
1215 |
74 |
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1968 |
18064 |
1241 |
79 |
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1969 |
? |
? |
92 |
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1970 |
? |
? |
119 |
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1971 |
? |
? |
? |
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1972 |
? |
? |
? |
|
1973 |
? |
? |
? |
|
1974 |
? |
? |
? |
|
1975 |
? |
? |
61 |
|
1976 |
? |
? |
? |
|
1977 |
? |
? |
? |
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1978 |
? |
? |
? |
|
1979 |
? |
? |
? |
|
1980 |
? |
? |
? |
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1981 |
? |
? |
? |
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1982 |
? |
? |
? |
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1983 |
? |
? |
? |
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1984 |
? |
? |
? |
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1985 |
? |
? |
? |
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1986 |
? |
? |
? |
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1987 |
? |
? |
? |
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1988 |
? |
? |
19 |
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1989 |
? |
? |
? |
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1990 |
? |
? |
? |
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1991 |
? |
? |
? |
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1992 |
? |
? |
? |
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1993 |
? |
? |
? |
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1994 |
? |
? |
? |
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1995 |
? |
? |
? |
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1996 |
? |
? |
? |
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1997 |
? |
? |
? |
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1998 |
? |
? |
? |
Statistics taken from BSA Annual Reports to Congress
Updated: 09/10/2008mrb